Multi-stage centrifugal pump



' Feb. 5, 1963 P. GUILLORY, SR 3,076,411 MULTI-STAGE CENTRIFYUGAL PUMPFiled June 10, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. PAUL GUILLORY, Sr.

ATTORNEYS Feb. 5, 1963 P. GUILLORY, sR 3,076,411

MULTI-STAGE CENTRIFUGAL PUMP Filed June 10, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a Y IIll INVENTOR. PAUL GUILLORY, Sr.

ATTORNEYS V United States Patent 3,076,411 MULTl-STAGE CENTRIFUGAL PUMPaul Guillory, Era, Box 455, Vernal, Utah Filed June Ill, 1960, Ser. No.35,234 12 Claims. (Cl. 103-102) This invention relates to centrifugalpumps and is particularly concerned with those having multiple stages,al-

pump having one or more additional stages.

I An object of the invention is to provide a centrifugal pump that maybe easily altered to supply additional pumping stages or to reduce thenumber of existing stages.

Other objects are to provide such a pump that will operate with greaterefficiency than comparable centrifugal pumps of conventional type, thatis sealed in a peculiarly effective manner against loss of pressure andthe liquid being pumped, that enables the adding or subtracting ofpumping stages without damaging the seals between individual stages,that minimizes the tendency for leakage about the drive shaft, that issimple in construction, and that is easily maintained in good repair.

An important feature of the invention which affords easy addition to orreduction in pumping stages is the provision of a composite drive shaftmade up, in part, of impeller units detachably secured together in endto end, axial alignment as sections of the complete drive shaft and theprovision of corresponding, pump housing or casing units also detachablysecured together in end to end, axial alignment as sections of thecomplete pump housing or casing. i 1

Other features contributing to the achievement of one or more of theforegoing objects are the provision of O-ring seals between theindividual housing units; the

particular formation of the impeller units, including a streamlined headportion backed by a vane portionfor each unit; the particular internalformation of each housing unit,.which conforms to the streamlinedcontouring of the impeller unit and provides gently curved,smoothwalled, flow passages for pressure liquid passing to a successivepumping stage or to discharge; and the need for shaft sealing only atthe suction intake, i.e. low pressure, end of the pump.

Further objects and features of the invention will be pointed out inconnection with the detailed description of the specific embodimentshown in the drawings, which represents what is presently regarded asthe best mode of carrying out the invention in practice.

In the drawings:

H6. 1 is a view in side elevation of a multi-stage pump of theinvention, intermediate stages being broken out for convenience ofillustration;

FIG. 2, ancnd elevation looking from the leftin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3, a vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4, a horizontal section taken on the line 44 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5, a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4and drawn to an enlarged scale.

Referring to the drawings:

In the form illustrated, the pump of the invention is 3,076,411 PatentedFeb. 5, 1963 multi-stage to an extent greater'than two stages, eachstage being'indicated It). In addition to each single stage section Iii,it includes a suction intake section 11 and a pressure discharge section12. 7

Each of the single stage pump sections 19 comprises an open-endedhousing unit 13 and an impeller unit 14, the several housing andimpeller units of the multiple pumping stages being positioned end toend and the terminal units being positioned in end to end relationshipwith the suction intake section 11 and the pressure discharge section12, respectively.

The several housing units 13 and intake and discharge sections aretightly secured and sealed together in any suitable manner, as by meansof cap screws 15 and interposed sealing material. It is a feature of theinvention that O-rings 16 are employed as seai The several impellerunits 14 are detachably joined in end to end relationship, and, for thispurpose, are each advantageously provided with an externally threadedstud 17 at one end and with an internally threaded recess 13 at itsopposite end adapted to receive the stud 1'7 of the immediately adjacentimpeller unit in screw mating relationship.

Stub shafts 19 and 2t) connect with opposite ends, respectively, of therectilinearly aligned and joined impeller units 14 to complete acomposite drive shaft for the pump.

Stubshaft 19 has a journal portion 190, which is received byanti-friction bearings 21 in intake section 11.

Such stub shaft has its inner end 1%, FIG. 5, externally threaded tocorrespond to a stub 17, and is detachably joinedthereby to the recessedand internally threaded end 18 of the impeller unit of the appropriateterminal pumping section 10. Its outer end projects from the intakesection 11 to serve as meansfor applying power to the composite driveshaft. As such, it is provided 'with a keyway 22, FIG.'4, for securingthereto a-pulley (not shown), which is belted to any suitable primemover, such as an electric motor (not shown). A seal 23 prevents leakageof air into the pump at this suction end thereof.

ln'instances Where only one or two pumping stages are utilized, it willbe sufficient to support the drive shaft only at this intake end, thestub shaft in not being necessary. In such instances it will be Wise, ofcourse, to space the bearings 21 as widely as is reasonably possible.

In this illustrated instance, stub shaft 20 in conjunction with stubshaft 19 gives adequate bearing support for any required number ofpumping stages within reason.

It has a journal portion 20a, FIG. 4, which is received by ananti-friction bearing 24 mounted in a closed recess portion 12a ofdischarge section 12. Its opposite end 291) is recessed and internallythreaded to correspond with Since stub shaft 20 terminates within thedischarge section 12, the latter may becompletely closed so as topresent no difficult sealing problem at this pressure end of the pump.

It is afeature of the invention that each impeller unit 14 andcorresponding housing unit 13 are formed internally to facilitatesmooth, non-turbulent flow from pumping section to pumping section. Tothis end, each impeller unit 14 comprises a substantially bullet-nosedhead portion 14a backed by a vane portion 14b, and each housing unit 13is internally contoured at 13a to substantially conform to the contourof the impeller unit and to provide therewith a gently curved, smoothWalled, annular flow passage 26- leading from the Vane or intake end ofthe housing in the discharge orifice 27 thereof at the head end of theimpeller.

Each of these unusually contoured impeller units 14 is advantageouslyfabricated in two concentric parts 14-1 and 14-2 which are separable onefrom the other. Part 14-1 forms a broad base for bullet-nosed headportion 14a of the impeller unit, while part 14-2 forms the convergentnose of such head portion 14a. Such parts are normally secured tightlytogether, as shown. To this end, base part 14-1 has a central stud 28,FIG. 5, extending forwardly therefrom and nose part 14-2 is providedwith a central opening 29 for receiving such stud, the latter extendingtherethrough and having means provided on its projecting end forsecuring the two parts tightly together.

In this illustrated construction, the externally threaded stud 17 bywhich adjacent impellers are joined together constitutes the tip of thestud 28, and the means for securing the two parts of an impellertogether comprises exter' nal threading 28a on stud 28, immediately backof the threaded tip 17, and a nut 30 cinching part 14-1 tightly againstpart 14-2. Also, the recessed and internally threaded end 18 of animpeller, which engages in screwmating relationship with the stud 17 ofa next adjacent impeller, constitutes the free end of a central stud 31projecting backwardly from base part 14-1 of the impeller.

The stud 31 merges with base 14-1 in a gently curved, outwardlyextending fillet 31a, which serves to smoothly turn the material beingpumped outwardly of the axis of the impeller.

Vanes 1412, FIG. 3, may be provided in any number found suitable forparticular pumping purposes. They are advantageously formed as anintegral part of impeller base part 14-l.

Intake section 11 has an intake passage 32 extending therethrough from athreaded end 32a, adapted to receive a suction intake line (not shown),to a discharge orifice 32b corresponding to the discharge orifice 27 ofa pumping section 10. Similarly, discharge section 12 has a dischargepassage 33 extending therethrough from an orifice 330, corresponding tothe discharge orifice 27 of a pumping section 10, to a threaded end 33badapted to receive a pressure discharge line (not shown).

Both intake section 11 and discharge section 12 are joined to theirrespective terminal pumping sections by means of cap screws and aresealed to such terminal pumping sections by means of O-rings 16.

Whereas there is here illustrated and described a certain preferredconstruction which I presently regard as the best mode of carrying outmy invention, it should be understood that various changes may be madeWithout departing from the inventive concepts particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed herebelow.

I claim:

1. A multi-stage centrifugal pump, comprising a plurality of mutuallyseparable, single stage sections detachably joined end to end, eachsection comprising an openended housing and an impeller within thehousing each impeller being formed in two concentric parts which areseparable one from the other, one of said parts being a broad basehaving a central stud projecting forwardly therefrom and having vanesprojecting rearwardly therefrom, and the other of said parts being abullet-nosed head fitting with said one part and over said stud andhaving an axial receiving opening into which said stud projects; meansnormally securing the two parts tightly together; means detachablyjoining the housings of respective stage sections in end to endrelationship; means detachably joining the impellers of respective stagesections in end to end relationship; a suction, intake section at oneend of the pump; a pressure, discharge section at the other end of thepump; stub shafts secured to and extending from the terminal impellers,respectively, at opposite ends of the pump to form with the severalimpellers a composite drive shaft for the pump; means journaling saidstub shafts in said intake and discharge sections, respectively; andmeans for applying power to said composite drive shaft.

2. A pump as set forth in claim 1, wherein each im peller is providedwith a threaded stud at one end and a correspondingly threaded recess atits opposite end as the said means for joining the impellers of therespective single stage sections.

3. A pump as set forth in claim 2, wherein one of said stub shafts isprovided with an externally threaded end for screwing into the recess ofone of said terminal impellers, and the other of said stub shafts isprovided with a recessed and internally threaded end for receiving thethreaded stud of the other of said terminal impellers.

4. A pump as set forth in claim 1, wherein the stub shaft at the suctionend of the pump projects through and beyond the said intake section;sealing means is provided against the inflow of air about said stubshaft; and the means for applying power to the composite drive shaft iscarried by the projecting end of said stub shaft.

5. A pump as set forth in claim 4, wherein the stub shaft at thepressure end of the pump terminates within said discharge section of thepump.

6. A pump as set forth in claim 5, wherein the housings of the singlestage sections are joined in end to end abutting relationship; andwherein O-ring seals are interposed between adjoining ends,respectively, of said housings.

7. A pump as set forth in claim 1, wherein the housings of the singlestage sections are joined in end to end abutting relationship; andwherein O-ring seals are interposed between adjoining ends,respectively, of said housings.

8. A pump as set forth in claim 1, wherein each impeller housing isinternally contoured to substantially conform to the contour of itsimpeller and to provide therewith a gently curved, smooth walled, flowpassage converging from vane end to head end of the particular singlestage section concerned.

9. A pump as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tip portion of saidprojecting end of the stud is externally threaded; and wherein the meansdetachably securing one impeller to another comprises a central stud foreach impeller projecting backwardly from said broad base and having itsterminal end recessed and internally threaded for the reception of theexternally threaded end of the forwardly projecting stud of the nextadjacent impeller.

10. A pump as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for securing thetwo impeller parts tightly together comprises a nut threaded on saidforwardly extending stud back of said threaded tip thereof.

11. In a centrifugal pump, an impeller formed in two concentric partswhich are separable one from the other, one of said parts being a broadbase having a central stud projecting forwardly therefrom and havingvanes projecting rearwardly therefrom, and the other of said parts beinga bullet-nosed head fitting with'said one part and over said stud; meanscoacting with said stud to normally secure the two parts tightlytogether; and an impeller housing internally contoured to substantiallyconform to the contour of said impeller and to provide therewith agently curved, smooth walled, fiow passage converging from vane end tohead end of said housing.

12. A centrifugal pump, comprising at least one single stage sectionwhich includes an open-ended housing and an impeller within the housing,said impeller being formed in two concentric parts which are separableone from the other, one of said parts being a broad base having acentral stud projecting forwardly therefrom and having vanes projectingrearwardly therefrom, and the other of said parts being a bullet-nosedhead fitting with said one part and over said stud; means coacting withsaid stud to normally secure the two parts tightly together; a suction,intake section at one end of the pump leading into the vanes of saidimpeller; a pressure, discharge section at the other end of the pump; astub shaft secured to and extending References Cited in the file of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS Wilken Dec. 6, 1904 Akimofi May 21, 1907 10Hards Dec. 5, 1916 Rodriguez et a1. Sept. 30, 1924 6 Conant Sept. 29,1925 Lipe July 23, 1929 Wintroath May 14, 1935 Howard Jan. 9, 1945Wislicenus Oct. 23, 1945 Hillger ec. 15, 1953 Berg Mar. 2, 1954 BirmannJuly 5, 1960 Tryon Aug. 2, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Oct. 18, 1900

1. A MULTI-STAGE CENTRIFUGAL PUMP, COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLYSEPARABLE, SINGLE STAGE SECTIONS DETACHABLY JOINED END TO END, EACHSECTION COMPRISING AN OPENENDED HOUSING AND AN IMPELLER WITHIN THEHOUSING EACH IMPELLER BEING FORMED IN TWO CONCENTRIC PARTS WHICH ARESEPARABLE ONE FROM THE OTHER, ONE OF SAID PARTS BEING A BROAD BASEHAVING A CENTRAL STUD PROJECTING FORWARDLY THEREFROM AND HAVING VANESPROJECTING REARWARDLY THEREFROM, AND THE OTHER OF SAID PARTS BEING ABULLET-NOSED HEAD FITTING WITH SAID ONE PART AND OVER SAID STUD ANDHAVING AN AXIAL RECEIVING OPENING INTO WHICH SAID STUD PROJECTS; MEANSNORMALLY SECURING THE TWO PARTS TIGHTLY TOGETHER; MEANS DETACHABLYJOINING THE HOUSINGS OF RESPECTIVE STAGE SECTIONS IN END TO ENDRELATIONSHIP; MEANS DETACHABLY JOINING THE IMPELLERS OF RESPECTIVE STAGESECTIONS IN END TO END RELATIONSHIP; A SUCTION, INTAKE SECTION AT ONEEND OF THE PUMP; A PRESSURE, DISCHARGE SECTION AT THE OTHER END OF THEPUMP; STUB SHAFTS SECURED TO AND EXTENDING FROM THE TERMINAL IMPELLERS,RESPECTIVELY, AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE PUMP TO FORM WITH THE SEVERALIMPELLERS A COMPOSITE DRIVE SHAFT FOR THE PUMP; MEANS JOURNALING SAIDSTUB SHAFTS IN SAID INTAKE AND DISCHARGE SECTIONS, RESPECTIVELY; ANDMEANS FOR APPLYING POWER TO SAID COMPOSITE DRIVE SHAFT.